1985 Chris Craft w/ Alpha One Gen 1 - groove on driven gear shaft

[ltklein]

I've just finished resealing my upper on my Scorpion 168 with a 140hp Alpha One Gen 1 (s/n 6898107) and find I have a slight groove on the driven gear shaft, keeping that seal from sealing. Leaks about 1/2 lb every couple of minutes and sloooow soap bubbling when I test.

I've searched and read about Speedi Sleeves for the short yokes but haven't seen any mention of using them on a driven gear shaft. If I can, I like this approach...

It seems my options are:

A) Take it to a machine shop and have them polish it out a smidge (can hardly catch a nail on it but I can catch a razor blade)
B) Speedie Sleeve - Has anyone done this with the driven gear?
C) New Gearset along with purchasing shimming tools and all the fun that goes with that.

Shafts/seals and tools, I'm already $250 into this upper. Seems if I go with option C, I'm approaching the price of a new SEI unit.

I'm hoping someone will tell me they've done A or B....

This boat is a rather sad but well-running craft...it's not worth a full on, first rate rebuild....and my finance committee is keeping my $$ in check!

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Bt Doctur]

I have polished a few with 1000 wet/dry and cutting oil.on a lathe

 

[kenny nunez]

I kept a stock of Speedy Sleeves on the shelf when I had my shop. I used them on the gear in question, lower water pump seal area, and when the drive shaft yokes were on back order. You have to be careful installing them as they are easily damaged. Also use sealer on the shaft before installing them. Then pressure test the gear case.

 

[ltklein]

Excellent - it seems both A and B have been tried successfully...

For the Speedi Sleeve, it looks like I'm looking for a 99125, and from what I understand, I can use the standard seal. $28-ish isn't bad if it works...

It'll be a couple weeks, but I'll post up what I do and the results.

Also open to any other supporting or opposing views.....